The current minimum wage in Oakland is $15.97 per hour, as of January 1, 2023. This is higher than the California state minimum wage of $15.50 per hour, and the national minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. The minimum wage in Oakland has increased steadily in recent years, starting from $12.25 per hour in 2016 and reaching $15 per hour in 2020. The most recent increase, to $15.97 per hour, was implemented in 2023. The increase in the minimum wage has been driven by factors such as the rising cost of living in the city. However, it has also led to job losses as businesses have had to cut costs to comply with the higher minimum wage.
The number of workers in Oakland making minimum wage is estimated to be around 100,000, with the majority employed in the retail, food service, and hospitality industries. Some of the lowest paying jobs in Oakland, which typically pay around the minimum wage, include retail salesperson, food service worker, cashier, customer service representative, warehouse worker, delivery driver, janitorial worker, security guard, and childcare worker. On the other hand, the highest paying jobs in Oakland, such as software engineer, doctor, lawyer, financial analyst, engineer, nurse, manager, executive, and sales representative, typically pay well above the minimum wage.
What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
What is a good hourly wage?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
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